Caribfest returns to SU after two years of COVID cancellations

Caribfest returns to SU after two years of COVID cancellations

Hundreds of students welcomed the return of the annual celebration on Sunday which featured live performances, a pageant, and the crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Caribfest 2022.
Published: March 7, 2022
Caribfest at Syracuse University
Milan Imari, representing Jamaica, performs during CaribFest at Syracuse University on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

On Sunday, March 6, the Caribbean Student Association hosted their annual Caribbean Festival which featured the announcement of the 2022 Mr. and Ms. Caribfest and various performances.

Hundreds of SU and non-SU students attended the celebration in Goldstein Auditorium to celebrate and bring together various communities. CSA events coordinator Christin-Delaine Tetteh said this event, which was hosted by Tik Tok comedian OJay Suavé, celebrated more than just Caribbean culture.

“Caribfest is a blast of Caribbean flavor. It is the celebration of multiple nationalities, a community coming together”, said Tetteh.

With this year’s theme being Royal Famalay, the festival featured a pageant with SU students representing their respective Caribbean and African countries. The winners were Mr. Caribfest, Fabryce Fetus representing Haiti, and Ms. Caribfest, Shakira Santos representing Puerto Rico. 

The two were selected out of four other SU students and were judged on four categories: carnival wear, talent, evening wear, and insightful questions about their culture, social issues, and the SU community.

The pageant was accompanied by a roster of performances from various SU dance troupes, One World, Raices, and Kalabash. The event concluded with the audience rushing to the stage to view popular dance hall artist Kranium. Kranium is an artist who rose to popularity with his 2013 hit “Nobody Has To Know.” He has also collaborated with artists like Ty Dolla Sign and Wizkid.

Due to COVID-19, Caribfest could not take place the past two years, but in previous years CSA has hosted Caribbean artists like Dexta Daps in 2019 and Aidonia in 2018. CSA plans to host more events throughout the semester that celebrate their culture.

Caribfest at Syracuse University
Caribfest at Syracuse University
Caribfest at Syracuse University